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Proposed bill bans gender changes on Kansas driver’s licenses, birth certificates
A bill that would ban gender changes on Kansas driver’s licenses and birth certificates drew hundreds of opponent comments despite appearing on a committee agenda just 24 hours before the Tuesday hearing.
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Civil rights • Voter rights • Anti-trans legislation • Abortion • Immigration • Municipalities’ local control • Kansas State Board of Education
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Kansas activists discuss abortion rights, Legislature’s response to amendment vote
The Legislature may not respect the public’s stance on abortion, but reproductive rights advocates find hope in knowing the record turnout Aug. 2 to defeat the constitutional amendment on abortion was fueled by young voters who are likely to keep voting.
‘I buried this terrifying experience’: Survivors of child sex crimes urge changes to Kansas law
Earl McIntosh wants state lawmakers to look at a photo of himself as a young boy, to see him as an innocent child full of joy and potential, and to think about how his life forever changed when he was sexually assaulted.
Updated: Kansas lawmakers advance bill making it easier to get a religious vaccine exemption
A bill that would have broadened vaccine exemptions in day care, schools and workplaces in Kansas got rejected Thursday by a legislative committee.
GOP-led House endorses K-12 school funding measure bundled with policy from handful of bills
Complex details of the Kansas House’s plan for state funding of K-12 education were woven Wednesday into contents of nine other bills that included policy allowing private school students to take part in extra-curricular activities at public schools and expanding opportunities for more than two-dozen wealthy districts to raise taxes to increase salaries of teachers.
Kansas lawmakers advance unproven, scientifically questionable ‘abortion reversal’ legislation
Going against professional medical advice, lawmakers advanced a bill requiring health care providers to tell people undergoing drug-induced abortions they can still change their minds. Providers who refuse to do so could face thousands in fines and potential jail time.
‘Some kids do need Jesus first’: Kansas lawmaker explains voucher-like program to Augusta community
Kansas children don’t generally find a “spiritual perspective” in public schools, Rep. Kristey Williams said, defending a voucher-like program that would funnel state tax dollars to unregulated private schools to her Augusta constituents.
Kansas Senate committee moves to block use of fentanyl test strips to stem overdose deaths
The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee reshaped a bill Monday to remove a provision legalizing use of fentanyl strips to help people avoid overdose deaths.
Kansas Senate budget bill features 3.25% spending cut, imposes ‘DEI’ ban at universities
The Kansas Senate on Monday will consider a budget bill that features 3.25% spending cut, imposes a ‘DEI’ ban at universities, and excludes state worker pay raise, Medicaid expansion and conflict of interest reform.
Public defender: Kansas faces crisis point on 60th anniversary of landmark U.S. Supreme Court case
A top public defender in Kansas says the state is at a crisis point on the 60th anniversary of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that guarantees legal representation for those who can’t afford to hire an attorney.
Court of Appeals reverses lower court on Kansas lawsuit challenging restraint on voting rights
A three-judge panel of the Kansas Court of Appeals issued an opinion Friday declaring voting a foundational constitutional right potentially undermined by state law mandating election volunteers verify signatures on advance ballots and restricting the number of advance ballots a person could deliver to an election office.
Kansas governor vetoes legislation banning transgender athletes from school sports
Gov. Laura Kelly for the third straight year has vetoed model legislation that would ban transgender girls from playing school sports with cisgender girls.
Medical marijuana advocate blames Kansas lawmakers for needless suffering
Alejandro Rangel-Lopez says lawmakers who refuse to legalize medical marijuana are responsible for the needless suffering of Kansans. After two days of Senate hearings on proposed legislation, there appears to be little hope for change this year.
Kansas lawmakers classify people with sexual development differences as disabled in revised bill
Intersex people and those born with sexual development differences would be classified as disabled and required to use separate bathrooms and locker rooms under legislation being considered by Kansas lawmakers.
Senate Republicans, Democrats plunge into weeds for rules scuffle on education funding bill
The dustup in the Senate over a bill delivering voucher-like funding to Kansas private schools featured zinger one-liners, rival interpretations of an obscure parliamentary rule and allegations Republican leadership engaged in abuse of power.
New legislation could allow hemp products to be used in Kansas animal feed
Industrial hemp could open up new pastures for Kansas, said industry professionals urging lawmakers to loosen regulatory measures they believe gave a chilling effect on the business.
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